Jury clears man of most counts in branding of Navajo victim

Monday, May 9, 2011  

A jury in Farmington, New Mexico, acquitted a man who was accused of branding a Navajo Nation man with a swastika.

William Hatch, 29, was found not guilty on charges of first-degree felony kidnapping, second-degree felony conspiracy to commit kidnapping, third-degree felony aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Those were the most serious charges in the case.

Hatch was found guilty for fourth-degree felony conspiracy to commit aggravated battery. He faces a maximum of 18 months in prison for the crime against Vincent Kee, 23.

Hatch is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and is part Navajo. He faces a hate crimes trial in federal court.

Two other men are set to go to trial in Farmington on the same charges as Hatch.

Get the Story:
Jury finds swastika defendant not guilty on three of four charges (The Farmington Daily Times 5/7)

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